IT’S MORGANTOWN

WORKFORCE

The area-wide labor market of the Morgantown MSA boasts more than 69,000 workers, of whom 3,000, or 4.4 percent, are classified as unemployed. In addition, West Virginia University and local high schools graduate more than 6,000 young men and women each year, a tremendous, consistently renewable labor resource.

The larger regional labor market encompassed by Monongalia and Preston counties, as well as five adjacent counties, offers more than 175,000 workers. The area offers a young, educated, motivated and skilled labor force that receives consistent positive reviews from local employers. The excellent work ethic and high level of employee loyalty is particularly impressive to new employers locating in the area. As an additional incentive, the state of West Virginia offers one of the best employee recruitment and training incentive programs in the country.

Morgantown is home to West Virginia University, the state’s largest land grant university and research center. WVU is one of the top 100 research universities in the country with an enrollment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university awards more than 5,000 degrees each year.

Morgantown is the anchor of the “I-79 High Tech Corridor.” This area has become a center for higher education, health care, advanced technology, and research and development.

Almost all employment sectors in the Morgantown MSA are poised for growth in the coming years. According to Workforce West Virginia, the area’s total nonfarm employment includes 68,100 workers dominated by three goods-producing sectors and eight service-producing sectors. The area’s unemployment hovers around 4 percent.

The following sectors employ most of the Morgantown MSA workforce:

Natural Resources & Mining

Construction

Manufacturing

Trade, Transportation & Utilities

Information

Financial Activities

Professional & Business Services

Education & Health Services

Leisure & Hospitality

Government

69K

Morgantown MSA boasts more
than 69,000 workers

4.4%

Of the 69,000 workers, 4.4% of those
workers are considered unemployed

6K+

Local high schools & WVU graduate more
than 6,000 each year – a tremendous, consistently
renewable labor resource

175K+

Monongalia County and its 5 adjacent
counties have more than 175,000 workers

5K

West Virginia University Awards more
than 5,000 degrees annually

38%+

More than 38% of Monongalia County
residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher